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CALS Comm Workshops

Once a month, the CALS Communications team hosts a workshop for all CALS departmental and unit communicators and communications enthusiasts. These sessions focus on best practices, tips and tools to ensure we are on-brand and effective in telling our college’s story.

We also seek to provide a space for networking and discussion among communicators in our college.

2023 Schedule

At these workshops, CALS Communications provides the latest practical guidance on various communications topics. and marketing topics. Have a topic you want us to cover? Email us.

Workshops are typically on the third Thursday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m.

Workshop TitleDescriptionHost(s)Date
MarComm Best PracticesHave a new or existing program that needs attention? This session will get you started on the right path.
Julie Hayworth-Perman and
Justin Moore
1/26
Day of Giving Office HoursPop into a Day of Giving work session, and we’ll answer your questions, from social media and graphic design to fundraising and everything in between.CALS Advancement and
CALS Communications
2/14 and
2/27
Identify a Good Story and Creatively
Tell It
We’ll discuss how to zero in on newsworthy ideas and find fresh angles for your stories. Bring your ideas, and let’s brainstorm together. D’Lyn Ford and
Emma Macek
3/16
Kick up the CreativityWe’ll work through writing prompts and brainstorm ways to jumpstart creativity during writer’s block.Janine Brumfield4/20
Podcasting a StoryLearn a few tricks that can go a long way in helping get your podcast off the ground. Join us on May 18 at 10 a.m. via Zoom.Chris Liotta5/18
Design 101We’ll show you the basics of designing on-brand, accessible print and digital communications, including flyers, social media posts and digital billboards.Patty Mercer and Leighann Vinesett6/22
Creative Email DesignsLearn tips and tricks for designing and building on-brand email templates in MailChimp.Leighann Vinesett7/27
Getting Smartphone Savvy – Part 2Picking up from last year’s workshop, we’ll dive deeper into creatively capturing photos and videos with cell phones.Keeshan Ganatra8/31
Creating Impactful Student StoriesLearn how to craft student stories that resonate with readers and showcase the college’s impact.Krystal Lynch9/21
Science PhotographyCapture the beauty and intrigue of science to elevate your research.
Register Now
Michelle Jewell10/19
Level Up Your Social MediaTake your social media strategy and content to the next level. Learn how to create engaging content to foster community, increase brand awareness and creatively convey your message. Caro Metzler11/16
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NC State will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Direct accommodation requests to Jennifer Bernabi, jabernab@ncsu.edu.

Catch up on previous CALS Comm Workshops on YouTube.

Resources

Day-to-Day Communications Strategy

Our goal is to make your life easier while ensuring your amazing stories get the coverage they deserve.

Ask for headshots with all of these, maybe write a brief introduction, and you have good content with less than 30 minutes of work.

Planning

The best way to save time is to plan and know the CALS message.

  • CALS Brand Promise and Core Messages – keep these in mind as you write, and you’ll never go wrong.
  • A strategic monthly communications plan at a glance – five easy pieces: CALS Comm Monthly Content Strategy. Four of those will take you half an hour or less.
  • When you start to write, use the CALS Comm Post Planner to save time by quickly organizing your thoughts to stay on message.

Recorded Sessions and Presentations

Unable to attend a session or want to revisit discussions from past workshops? We have materials for you to view.

Catch up on previous CALS Comm Workshops on YouTube.